Suddenly, memories of 45 all out at Newlands - and even the Ross Taylor captaincy saga - are starting to fade.

It will take more than a couple of one-day international wins for disillusioned cricket followers to forgive and forget, particularly the handling of Taylor-gate, but more results like this in the Mike Hesson-Brendon McCullum era might help dull the memories a little.

Hesson, in particular, can perhaps breathe a sigh of relief.

The coach has been pilloried by all and sundry and the inept displays in the two tests in South Africa earlier this month were nothing short of embarrassing.

New Zealand Cricket had plumbed new depths and he was in the thick of it.

But we've seen resilience, fight, and skill in the one-day internationals.

Most crucially, we have seen back-to-back wins, and nothing eases pressure in professional sport like a tick in the W column.

Some notable and worthy milestones were reached in yesterday's 27-run win in Kimberley, which put New Zealand 2-0 up in the three-match series.

They secured their first series victory in any format in 60 years of playing international cricket in South Africa; the five run-outs effected in South Africa's innings equalled the world record; and Kane Williamson's unbeaten 145 from 136 balls was the sixth highest score by a Kiwi in an ODI, and highest against a top-tier nation.

The icing on the cake? New Zealand leap-frogged Bangladesh into eighth in the world rankings after the series win over the world No 3.

A small step, but at least it is a forward step.

McCullum's captaincy reign could not have started in worse fashion, following two innings hidings in the tests, but now the tour might well be remembered for a history-making series win, which he described as one of New Zealand's best in coloured clothing.

"To beat South Africa in South Africa is some achievement that we will hold onto for a long time. I'm not going to underplay it," he said.

"We knew how big this series was. South Africa were ranked No 1 coming into it and us at No 9, and playing them in their own conditions.

"I think the characteristics we showed in the first game flowed on to this one. I'm very proud of each and every individual, and really pleased to be able to show some love for the fans back home who have stuck by us during some tough times."